Environmental Science Program
DIRECTOR’S CORNER It is a tremendous honor for me to assume the helm of our campuswide Environmental Science Program. As you are wellaware, preparing the next generation of environmental scientists and decision makers is in our DNA at the University of Idaho, and the list of opportunities for Vandals to make a positive difference in environmental stewardship has never been greater. Our students are embracing the challenge. They engage in experiential learning early on through internships and seasonal work placement, many times in partnership with you — our great network of Vandal friends and alumni. They conduct research aimed at real-world problems, such as the project seen on these pages highlighting the work of senior undergraduate Hana Haakenstad to understand connections between zooplankton densities and anoxic conditions in an Inland Northwest reservoir. And they have tons of fun doing it, as I’ve seen with the trivia nights and volunteer outings organized by the Environmental Science Club. You’ll also see on these pages that our campuswide Environmental Science team of faculty, staff and students recently completed a comprehensive revision of the undergraduate curriculum. The new curriculum honors the interdisciplinary nature of the program, challenging students to explore connections among seemingly disparate topics. But it also provides new ways for students to dive deeply into their specific disciplines of interest. A new 200-level core course will get students interacting early on with professionals working in the environmental sciences. We are redoubling efforts to get students outside, observing the world and collecting primary data. Our new online Sustainability Sciences option boasts more accessibility to online coursework than ever before. And, at the suggestion of employers of our graduates, the 400-level senior capstone experience now includes the option for students to team up with a community stakeholder partner to manage a local environmental assessment project. I invite you to be part of our exciting future in environmental science at U of I. Please reach out to me at leev@uidaho.edu if you want to share ideas or be involved. Warmly, Lee Vierling
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WINTER 2020 - 21
Environmental Science Unveils New Undergraduate Curriculum
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aculty from across the University of Idaho revamped the Environmental Science undergraduate curriculum for implementation starting in Fall 2021. Input from disciplinary and interdisciplinary working groups, current students, alumni and employers was used in the decision-making. Along with U of I’s land-grant mission, world-class faculty and the unparalleled outdoor laboratory that is Idaho, these changes promise to make U of I’s Environmental Science program a top destination for students across the country.
